Free Software

This is a Sun Microsystems' Office Suite which is comparable to Microsoft's Office 2003.
It has word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing and database applications (plus a math equation module).

Open Office 2 can work with most Office 2003 files and it has some features that the Microsoft offering doesn't have.

What’s in OpenOffice.org 2.0?

The following description is taken from the Sun Microsystems' web site.

WRITER is OpenOffice.org’s word processor: use it for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book with embedded illustrations, cross-references, tables of contents, indexes, bibliographies... Auto-complete, auto-format, and real-time spelling check make light work of the hardest task. Writer is powerful enough to tackle desktop publishing tasks such as creating multi-column newsletters, brochures – the only limit is your imagination.

Use CALC to bring your numbers under control. This powerful spreadsheet has all the tools you need to calculate, analyse, summarise, and present your data in numerical reports or sizzling graphics. A fully-integrated help system makes entering complex formulas a breeze. Sophisticated decision-making tools are just a few mouse clicks away. Pull in external data using the Data Pilot, and sort it, filter it, and produce subtotals and statistical analyses. Use previews to select from thirteen categories of 2-D and 3-D charts including line, area, column, pie, XY, stock and net with dozens of variants.

IMPRESS is the fastest, most powerful way to create effective multimedia presentations. Your presentations will truly stand out with special effects, animation and high-impact drawing tools.

DRAW will produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations and special effects.

New to Version 2, BASE enables you to manipulate database data seamlessly within OpenOffice.org. Create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports, either using your own database or Base’s own built-in HSQL database engine.

Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organised by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organised.

Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips. And Picasa makes it a snap to share your pictures – you can email, print photos home, make gift CDs, instantly share via Hello™, and even post pictures on your own blog.

The above program description and a link to the program download can be found at http://picasa.google.com/

Microsoft® Photo Story 3 for Windows® helps you create exciting video stories from your pictures that you can share with family and friends. For example, you could create a video story that features narrated photographs from a family vacation or a video story that includes pictures and sounds of your new baby.

In a few simple steps, you can import and edit your pictures, add titles, record narration, add background music, and save your story using the optimal quality settings (profile) for the way your story will be played.

Depending on the profile you used to save your story, your friends and family can then use any program that plays Windows Media® Video (WMV) files, such as Windows Media Player version 7 or later, to view your story.

The above program description can be found in the help file of the program and a link to the program download (available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows) can be found here.

DVD Shrink is software to backup DVD discs. You can use this software in conjunction with DVD burning software of your choice, to make a backup copy of any DVD video disc.DVD Shrink will also burn your backup DVD, if you have installed the latest version of Nero. You can download a demo version of Nero here. If you already possess alternative burning software and prefer to stick with it, then you can still use DVD Shrink. The output from DVD Shrink can be saved as files on your hard drive, or as an ISO disc image on your hard drive, which you can then burn with software of your choice.

The first preventative measure is encryption. Commercial DVD titles are often encrypted, which prevents you from either copying them to your hard drive, or if you manage to do so, being able to play the resulting files. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem with built-in decryption algorithms, which means you can use DVD Shrink to backup a DVD directly, without requiring any other software.

The next problem is not so easy. Most DVD video titles are simply too large to fit, without modification, onto a single recordable DVD-R disk. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem by compressing or "shrinking" the data from your original DVD. The latest DVD Shrink 3.2 contains state-of-the-art compression algorithms, rivalling those found in the best commercial softwares.

DVD Shrink also allows you to re-author your DVD. You can make your own compilation from one or more source DVDs, or select only the parts of a DVD which you intend to view, thus preserving more space on your backup for the highest quality viewing.

The above software description can be found in the help file of DVD Shrink and a link to the program download can be found here.